Ex-Northfield man charged in investment scam

A former Northfield man was charged in an alleged fraud scheme that swindled $30 million from investors who believed they were buying into his voice-over-Internet phone service business.

Federal prosecutors alleged James Jedynak and co-defendant Gail Howard of California raised money from some 70 investors by selling shares in Unified Worldwide Transport LLC, a company they said would route voice-over-Internet-protocol traffic.

Instead, the pair used more than $12 million for purchases for themselves that included a boat, plastic surgery and other luxury items.

Jednyak and Howard were charged with five counts of wire fraud each.

Jednyak, 45, is believed to be living in Texas. Howard, 60, lives in Canyon Country, Calif.